Fifteen People Become United States Citizens

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By Gillette Vaira

Story Published: Sep 15, 2011 at 6:56 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 16, 2011 at 1:14 PM MDT

BILLINGS - May Ann Steinbeisser traveled from the Philippines to Northeastern Montana to marry a farmer in 2004.

"Oh it's a whole new world coming from the Philippines. It's been a learning experience. Difference in culture, in language, in food."

Thursday, she and 14 others from 12 countries became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the federal courthouse in downtown Billings.

"It was kind of emotional," May Ann said, "I almost cried when 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was sung."

Mimi Kirschman with the Department of Homeland Security said they went through three months of paperwork, interviews, and tests in order to become naturalized U.S. citizens.

"They have to learn to speak English, they can read and write English, and then like I said, the civics test," she said, "It's great to see them come in and get their naturalization certificate."

May Ann said she came from a city with 600,000 people, so living in rural Northeastern Montana has changed her world.

"When I first came out and I saw there were hardly any people around, more cows than people, I was like, 'Can I live in a place like this? It's so isolated.' But then I saw the people, even though it was not many, but the quality, the warmth, friendliness, the helpfulness I've encountered sold me to the place and to the country," she said, "So when I applied for U.S. citizen(ship), I had no misgivings that this is now going to be my home."

May Ann and her husband are raising three children on a ranch near Sidney.

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kma said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 4:44 PM

now why can't the mexicans do the same? instaed they come here and wreck our country

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